{
  "abstract": "While black tea’s oxidized polyphenols hold potential for gut health, the specific protective mechanisms of its ethanol-soluble fraction (BES), particularly regarding host-microbiota interactions, remain poorly defined. This study elucidated the dual mechanisms through which BES ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. By integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking/dynamics simulations, RT-qPCR, and Western blot analysis, we identified the PI3K/AKT signaling axis as a potential host target. Our findings suggest that key flavonoid constituents stably bind to critical nodes, potentially downregulating the expression and activation of pathway components. Concurrently, 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics revealed that BES reshaped gut microbiota by suppressing Akkermansia and enriching SCFA producers such as Lactobacillus, restoring fecal SCFA levels. Fecal microbiota transplantation confirmed that BES-modulated microbiota alone transferred protection. Thus, BES acts concertedly through direct PI3K/AKT inhibition and indirect microbiota-SCFA modulation, providing a mechanistic basis for targeted use of black tea fractions in intestinal inflammation.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Institute of Tea Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China",
    "College of Tea Science, Xinyang Agriculture and Forestry University, Xinyang, China",
    "Institute of Sericulture and Tea, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China",
    "Provincial Key Agricultural Enterprise Research Institute of Mingbao Natural Plant Extracts, Hangzhou, China"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 9,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yuxuan Shi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Jiayi Sun"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Lin Chen"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Shuang Xu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Shasha Guo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Anan Xu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Qun Ye"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yuefei Wang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ping Xu"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fe8cq6gz2ngr5.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1038/s41538-026-00999-x",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13736917/",
  "id": "fe8cq6gz2ngr5",
  "issns": [
    "2396-8370"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-026-00999-x",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Article"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|Gut microbiota and health"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7168245956",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41538-026-00999-x_reference.pdf",
  "pmcid": "PMC13736917",
  "pmid": "42448682",
  "published": "2026-07-14",
  "publisher": "Nature Publishing Group",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fe8cq6gz2ngr5.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-09T12:22:16Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13736917",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-026-00999-x"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:1312|Gut microbiota and health",
      "subfield": "molecular-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Black tea ethanol soluble fraction restores intestinal homeostasis by modulating PI3K/AKT signaling and gut microbiota",
  "title_text": "Black tea ethanol soluble fraction restores intestinal homeostasis by modulating PI3K/AKT signaling and gut microbiota",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-09T12:22:16Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fe8cq6gz2ngr5",
  "venue": "NPJ Science of Food",
  "versions": []
}